Karumba fisherman Stephen John Russell fined for gun, drug charges

A Queensland angler, travelling up and down the coast selling his fish, said he was experimenting with drugs and had a revolver to protect him from crocs and sharks after police busted him at a Bruce Highway rest stop area.

A Karumba fisherman, travelling up and down the coast selling his fish, made bizarre excuses for his possession of a handgun and drugs which left a Mackay magistrate in a state of incredulity.

A Far North Queensland angler says he only carried a revolver to protect himself against crocs and sharks when he was out on the water, a court has heard.

Stephen John Russell also said he had just started “experimenting with drugs” in his late 50s after he was busted with meth and marijuana.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the 59-year-old Karumba fisherman travelled up and down the east coast, selling his catch.

He was sitting in his car at the Palm Tree Creek Rest Area near Kuttabul on June 14, 2024, when police patrolling the Bruce Highway approached his vehicle.

The court heard after speaking with Russell officers formed a reasonable suspicion he had drugs and searched the vehicle, finding 1.1g of meth, 7.8g of marijuana and a glass smoking pipe.

A further search uncovered a waterproof bag holding an unlicensed silver revolver, which Russell claimed he was “holding for a friend”.

The court heard Russell held a license to possess rifles but did not hold a handgun license.

Russell was a professional fisherman working in Karumba, his home town, since the 1970s.

Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees said, “it would have been pretty wild in the 70s I would imagine Karumba”.

The court heard a friend had gifted Russell the pistol, which he used to protect himself against crocodiles and sharks caught in his net.

Karumba is a small fishing community situated where the Normanton River meets the Gulf of Carpentaria. Pic Mark Cranitch

“Some of the fishing boats they’re not big seafaring boats they’re quite low hulled boats,” he said.

Mr Rees asked if Russell had an issue with drugs, which he denied.

The court heard Russell had a hard life with “long lonely hours and he experimented with a drug”.

Mr Rees questioned if his drug use was experimental, which was confirmed.

“59 and he’s experimenting,” Mr Rees commented.

Mr Rees added it was fortunate there was no “untoward circumstances” linked to the weapon, and said he would not record a conviction so Russell could continue holding his rifle licence.

“You are still carrying on your livelihood as a professional fisherman and require a licence to protect yourself,” Mr Rees said.

Russell pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and drug possession and was fined $2,500 with three months to pay.

No convictions were recorded.